And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
I had the pleasure of going to Fellowship’s House Group tonite, and I really had a great time. We talked a bit about doing quiet time, and the importance of thinking about things after we read them. So I figure I’ve been slacking lately, so even though it’s late I’m going to try to write up a commentary for this passage.
Back in Matthew it says ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ I think that this is a very easy thing to do – to tell God “if you do this, then I’ll do that.” That’s wrong. The Pharisees and Sadducees are a constant example of what we’re not supposed to be doing. These guys are saying ‘do something amazing, then we’ll believe you.’ But they are completely ignoring all the miraculous works that Jesus had been doing for a long time.
It seems ridiculous to us. Jesus had just fed 2 huge groups with a couple loaves of bread. He’s healed hundreds of people. And yet these guys still want him to do something before he believes them.
They didn’t really need a sign to decide on thier position about Jesus. They were simply testing Jesus. Do we ever do that?
It’s tough. I’ve said things before like ‘I’d do this if God just tells me he wants me to do it.’ But is that really the issue? Or has God been telling us all along and we’re just trying to ignore it. One more, God. Give me one more sign that you want me to do this, and I promise I’ll do it.
In fact, I’ve done that with things outside of the Bible too. Yeah, I need to get up, but I’ll wait until the next time my mom tells me. Yes, I should do this essay, but I’m waiting till the last minute.
Why do we always need 1 more assurance? If we know we should be doing something, why do we wait to be told another time? What are we waiting for?
Signs
And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
I had the pleasure of going to Fellowship’s House Group tonite, and I really had a great time. We talked a bit about doing quiet time, and the importance of thinking about things after we read them. So I figure I’ve been slacking lately, so even though it’s late I’m going to try to write up a commentary for this passage.
Back in Matthew it says ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ I think that this is a very easy thing to do – to tell God “if you do this, then I’ll do that.” That’s wrong. The Pharisees and Sadducees are a constant example of what we’re not supposed to be doing. These guys are saying ‘do something amazing, then we’ll believe you.’ But they are completely ignoring all the miraculous works that Jesus had been doing for a long time.
It seems ridiculous to us. Jesus had just fed 2 huge groups with a couple loaves of bread. He’s healed hundreds of people. And yet these guys still want him to do something before he believes them.
They didn’t really need a sign to decide on thier position about Jesus. They were simply testing Jesus. Do we ever do that?
It’s tough. I’ve said things before like ‘I’d do this if God just tells me he wants me to do it.’ But is that really the issue? Or has God been telling us all along and we’re just trying to ignore it. One more, God. Give me one more sign that you want me to do this, and I promise I’ll do it.
In fact, I’ve done that with things outside of the Bible too. Yeah, I need to get up, but I’ll wait until the next time my mom tells me. Yes, I should do this essay, but I’m waiting till the last minute.
Why do we always need 1 more assurance? If we know we should be doing something, why do we wait to be told another time? What are we waiting for?
~ by Brandon on January 25, 2007.
Posted in Noeo Commentary